Life In The Minors
Minor league managers are unsung members in player development.
They have long days in spring training, long days when their seasons start and endure a lot of long bus rides. They welcome young prospects, watch them grow and develop but have the unpleasant task of telling players they are being released. They not only teach kids how to play the game and how to act as a pro but serve as fathers, advisors and psychologists. Biggest thrill is seeing a kid they managed make it to the majors.
The late Bob Wellman is one of many who managed in the Phillies organization. He spent 16 seasons (1961–1975) with the Phillies, trailing only Roly deArmas (31), Bill Dancy (19) and Frank Lucchesi (18).
Wellman also managed in the Reds system for five years (1955–59) before joining the Phillies and then ended with the Mets for four (1977–80).
That’s 25 total years, 3,356 games, 1,771 wins, 1,578 losses and a .529 percentage. The “thrill” number? 79 players made it to the major leagues.
He managed at every level with the Phillies, up the ladder to AAA, then back down to Class A before finishing with three straight seasons at AA Reading, his longest tenure with one team.
Like the kids he managed, Wellman had dreams of being a big-leaguer. A first baseman/outfielder, he toiled in the minors as a player for 15 years. His major league career was a total of 15 games with the Philadelphia A’s, four in 1948 and 11 in 1950. Of his seven hits, one was a home run off Boston’s Mel Parnell at Shibe Park in 1950.
Wellman’s Major League Roster
P — Grant Jackson, Al Raffo, Bill Wilson, Dave Bennett, Rich Beck, Rick Wise, Gary Wagner, Darrell Sutherland, Larry Colton, Dick Thoenen, Larry Loughlin, Barry Lersch, Lowell Palmer, Mike Strahler, Jackie Brown, Bill Champion, Manny Muniz, Ken Reynolds, Mike Wegener, Bill Laxton, Bob Terlecki, Steve Arlin, Ron Diorio, Mike Jackson, Jeff James, Bill Schlesinger, Fred Wenz, Dave Downs, Jesus Hernaiz, Juan Jimenez, Erksine Thomason, Roy Thomas, Tom Underwood, Dan Boitano, Willie Hernandez, Manny Seoane, Warren Brusstar, Nardi Contreras, Jim Wright.
C — Dick Teed, Bill Heath, Mike Compton, Larry Cox, Buck Martinez, Stump Merrill, Del Bates, Bill Nahorodny, Larry Fritz, Jim Essian, Tim Blackwell, Keith Moreland.
1B — Ron Allen, Gene Stone, Willie Montanez.
2B — Denny Doyle, Bobby Pfeil, Fred Andrews, Greg Pryor.
SS — Mike Marshall, Larry Bowa, Terry Harmon, Todd Cruz.
3B — John Vukovich, Gene Leek.
OF — John Briggs, John Upham, Larry Hisle, Scott Reid, Joe Lis, Howie Bedell, Leroy Reams, Oscar Gamble, Sam Parrilla, Jerry Martin, Rick Bosetti, Wayne Comer, Dane Iorg, Mike Rogodzinski, John Poff.
